|
|
|
About Page:
|
A brief History of The Dominicans in Tralee
The New
Holy Cross
John Griffin
THE restoration of the Dominicans to Tralee had its origins in the great Parish Mission of 1854, conducted by the Dominican Fathers in Saint John's, at the invitation of Dr. David Moriarty, the then recently-appointed Parish Priest and Co-Adjutor Bishop.
Following the missin, hopes were raised that the Order might return to re-establish its ancient priory in Tralee. John Mulchinock, the great benefactor of the Church and uncle of the famous song writer, vowed to bequeath the remainder of his family fortune to facilitate their return. However, he died before his wish could be fulfilled.
After Dr. Moriarty's transfer to Killarney as Bishop on the death of Dr. Egan in 1856, the first formal invitation was extended to the Dominicans to return. This was declined by the Provincial owing to a shortage of available priests but the Bishop persisted until his request was eventually acceeded to.
The Dominicans formally returned to Kerry on 5 April 1861 - a historic day which was celebrated with enthusiasm by the townspeople. The first prior was Father Pius Lynch, OP, a very holy but delicate priest.
For a short period, the Dominicans used a room in their new home, at 1 Day Place, for a chapel. Later they moved to a more spacious building in Godfrey Place (later Latchford's store and now Cameo Bakery). This was a converted slaughterhouse intended only as a temporary church while a site for a new priory was being sought.
In November 1862, Father Lynch was succeeded as prior by Father Thomas Rush, a dynamic priest who quickly endeared himself to the people. Preparations for a new church could now begin in earnest. With the help of two friends of the community, Father Rush obtained a bank loan of £2,000 to purchase the present site at Day Place from Mr. William Denny. He then engaged the professional services of Mr. George Ashlin, RHA, the prominent Gothic-Revival architect, to prepare the plans for a new Church.
Meanwhile, collections for the building fund were organised throughout the town and diocese. The Catholic merchants of Tralee were particularly generous and Mr. Patrick Jeffers, a Kerryman based in Dublin, contributed the princely sum of £500. Father Rush personally undertook a parish to parish collection in the diocese and, in Tralee, a penny-a-week collection was organised by Mr. Robert O'Kelly.
By the end of 1865 the building fund proceeds amounted to £2,100.
Ashlin's plans for the New Holy Cross appeared in the March 1866 edition of The Dublin Builder. The design is described as having 'novelty and boldness'. The writer continues:
It is built on a site adjoining the Dominican Convent, with which it will communicate.
At the north-west angle there will be a tower and spire to a height of about 120 feet, and the west front will be enriched by an elaborate rose window of excellent detail. The total length is 126 feet, and width, including aisles, 51 ft... the height from floor to ridge of nave is 56 feet.
The builder is named as Mr. Arthur Crosbie and the cost at about £6,000.
The cornerstone of the building was laid on 15 August 1866, the Feast of the Assumption, by Mrs. Anne Jeffers, wife of the benefactor.
From the beginning, serious difficulties were encountered with the foundations. The Tralee Chronicle of the period recalls that 'the trenches and foundations would become submerged by the incoming tide, carrying everything before it and undoing, in a few moments, the work of weeks'.
The contractor eventually overcame the elements by working night and day, and using inverted arches and a new material called concrete. No chances were taken with the tower. The foundations for it were taken down fifteen feet to solid rock. However, lack of funds would eventually prevent its completion.
The Church was solemnly blessed and opened by Most Rev. Dr. David Moriarty, Bishop of Kerry, at a tumultuous ceremony on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 14 September 1871.
Each of the succeeding priors have made their own individual contributions to beautifying the Church. The stained glass windows in the apse were installed by Father Albert Ryan, OP (1891 - 98); the organ by Father Dominic McCarthy, OP (1898 - 1904); the mosaic work by Fr. Antonius Kelly, OP (1904 - 07), and Saint Anne's Chapel was built during the priorship of Father Molloy (1932 - 38).
Holy Cross took its present form in 1970 when the sanctuary area was adapted for the liturgical changes of Vatican II by Father McArdle, OP.
|
 |
|
Contact the Doms Tralee
Holy Cross
|
|
